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EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS

Discover insights about leadership, teamwork, and personal growth through meaningful experiences with horses

Two people attempting to lead their horses through guided course.

Learning Through Connection

A man leading a black and white miniature horse in a grassy paddock.

Our workshops help people discover new insights about themselves, their teams, and their relationships. We incorporate a multitude of strength-based theories and practices, including Appreciative Inquiry and the Reinvention Method. We may also integrate behavioral assessment tools like Strengthscope® and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.

 

What makes these workshops unique? The horses. They provide immediate, honest feedback that create powerful learning moments. Unlike traditional classroom settings, participants learn from doing, experiencing, and reflecting on those experiences.

The right eye of a black horse..

Horses are highly intuitive and respond to our energy, emotions, and intentions in real-time. They don't judge, they don't have agendas, and they don’t lie. They reflect back exactly what we're presenting to them. Partnering with horses creates unique opportunities for:

  • Authentic feedback about communication styles

  • Insights into leadership presence and approach

  • Understanding how we show up under pressure

  • Recognizing patterns in how we build trust

  • Discovering our natural strengths

  • Experiencing the impact of our nonverbal communication

 

Working with horses takes people out of their heads and into the present moment, where real learning and growth happen.

How Horses Facilitate Learning

Workshop Topics

Each workshop is customized to groups’ needs and goals. Here are some of our most popular topics

Developing Leaders

Explore different leadership styles, practice decision-making under uncertainty, build authentic presence, and develop the ability to influence without authority. Horses constantly challenge leaders to be clear, confident, and adaptable.

Ideal for: Emerging leaders, management teams, executives

Communication & Relationships

Young girl petting a miniature horse in its stall.

Understand personality differences, improve active listening, recognize cultural and communication style variations, and build stronger interpersonal connections. Horses help us see how others experience us.

Ideal for: Mentor-mentee pairs, family groups, relationship building

Developing Trust

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Learn what builds and breaks trust, practice vulnerability, understand psychological safety, and create environments where people feel safe to take risks and be authentic.

Ideal for: New teams, rebuilding teams, leadership groups

Developing Teams & Collaboration

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Strengthen trust, improve communication (both verbal and nonverbal), enhance accountability, and practice working toward shared goals. Teams must collaborate effectively with horses‚ just as they do with people in the workplace.

Ideal for: Work teams, project groups, departments

Personal Growth & Self-Awareness

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Use assessment tools to identify your natural strengths and your behavioral preferences. Practice mindfulness, being present, and use of self. Horses create a safe space for self-discovery.

Ideal for: Individuals, career development groups, personal enrichment

Adaptability & Change

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Practice responding to uncertainty, develop flexible thinking, build resilience, and learn to adapt strategies when circumstances change. Working with horses requires constant adjustment‚ just like leading in today's world.

Ideal for: Organizations in transition, change management teams

Workshop Formats

We offer flexible formats to meet your schedule and learning objectives:

Half-Day Workshops

Perfect for focused skill development or initial team development. Includes introduction, activities with horses, and debrief.

Full-Day Intensives

Deep dive into complex topics. Multiple activities, extended reflection time, action planning

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Multi-Session Series

Several shorter session over weeks or months. Allows for practice and integration between sessions. Ideal for ongoing leadership development.

Custom Programs

Designed specifically for your organization's needs. Can combine multiple topics. Can integrate with your existing training initiatives.

Who Benefits From Our Workshops

  • Businesses and organizations of all sizes

  • Nonprofit teams

  • Government agencies

  • Schools and educational groups

  • Healthcare teams

  • Family businesses

  • Professional associations

  • Youth organizations

  • Mentor programs

  • Veterans

  • Families

  • Any group wanting to strengthen relationships and effectiveness

People consistently tell us that working with horses creates insights they couldn't get in traditional training programs. Click on the top picture in the collage to reveal some of their outcomes. 

The Equine-assisted Learning Environment

Three miniature horses standing in their snowy paddock, two facing forward, one facing the back.

All workshops take place at our peaceful farm in Swanton, Vermont. The outdoor setting, away from office distractions, creates space for people to be present, open, and engaged in new ways.

 

No horse experience is necessary. Participants don't ride horses‚ they work with them on the ground through carefully designed activities that create specific learning opportunities. Each activity is followed by guided reflection to help participants connect their experiences with horses to their real-world challenges.

Sample Workshop Schedule

Example: Half-Day Developing Teams Workshop

 

8:30 AM - Welcome & Introduction

  • Meet the team and set intentions

  • Learn about horses and safety

 

9:00 AM - Activity 1: Communication Challenge

  • Work together to achieve a goal with a horse

  • Practice clear communication and leadership

 

10:00 AM - Debrief & Reflection

  • What worked well?

  • What strengths were used individually? Collectively?

  • How did your performance relate to your workplace?

 

10:30 AM - Activity 2: Trust Exercise

  • Connecting and building trust with a horse

  • Explore vulnerabilities and authentic presence

 

11:30 PM - Final Debrief & Action Planning

  • Key insights and takeaways

  • How will you apply what you learned?

 

12:00 PM – Adjourn

 

NOTE: Each workshop is customized to your group's specific needs and goals.

Four people standing with a miniature horse. Two on one side and two on the other side, each holding leadropes. Together, they're trying to get the mini to move forward.

Ready to Book a Workshop?

Let's discuss your goals and create a program that serves your team. We'll talk about:

  • What challenges or opportunities you're facing

  • What you hope participants will gain

  • Which format and topics would work best

  • Scheduling and logistics

  • Pricing and group size​

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We're happy to answer questions and help you determine if this approach is right for your group.

A sunny summer day with three miniature horses running free in a meadow.
IMPORTANT NOTE

These are educational workshops focused on organizational development, leadership, and personal growth—not therapy or counseling.

If you're a licensed professional seeking therapeutic applications, please see our Professional Partnerships page to discuss collaborative opportunities.

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